Taiwan Prez Vowes to Defend Freedoms Amid Pressure From China

China considers democratic Taiwan to be a wayward province and has used force to bring the island under its control.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen

(Photo: AP/Chiang Ying-ying)

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen vowed on Tuesday to defend Taiwan's freedom and democracy amid growing pressure from giant neighbour China, using a National Day speech to warn that the self-ruled island would not bow to pressure.

China considers democratic Taiwan to be a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.

Relations with Beijing have deteriorated sharply since Tsai, who leads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, took office last year, with China suspecting she wants to push for the island's formal independence, a red line for Beijing.

China has cut off a regular dialogue mechanism with Taiwan, ramped up military drills around the island and stepped up international pressure to limit Taiwan's diplomatic footprint.

Tsai, who has pledged to maintain peace with China, said her government was still seeking breakthroughs in ties with Beijing and promised consistent and stable policies.

We need to remember democracy and freedom were rights obtained through all of Taiwan people’s countless efforts. Therefore, we need to use all our power to defend Taiwan’s democratic and freedom values and lifestyle.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai's speech came a week before China holds its twice-a-decade Communist Party Congress, where President Xi Jinping, who has taken a robust approach to territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas, will cement his grip on power.

Her government has continued to rattle Beijing, with her newly appointed premier, William Lai, telling parliament last month he was a "political worker who advocates Taiwan’s independence".

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However, Tsai has also sought to give Beijing a roadmap where its "goodwill" can be extended, which in turn could give her a chance to reciprocate and rein in the more independence-leaning hardliners on the island.

We have offered our greatest goodwill. I have repeatedly said, our goodwill doesn’t change, our promises don’t change; we won’t walk on the old path of confrontation, but we won’t bow to pressure.

Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai reiterated the importance of implementing the island's new "southbound" policy of forging closer ties with countries in the region, saying Taiwan was seeking to find a new position in the international community.

Taiwan has stepped up efforts to reduce its reliance on China and broaden engagement with 18 countries across the region under the policy, seeking to deepen economic and political ties.

"In the face of rapid change in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan is already prepared to play an even more important role in the region's prosperity and stability," she said.

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